There's magic in the very name of this bustling, thriving Central Florida city of almost 1.1 million souls, known as the "vacation capital" of the world.

Originally named Jernigan after Aaron Jernigan who came from Georgia and settled here in 1843, the town grew around an old Army post, Fort Gatlin, which was eventually abandoned by the military in 1849.

The town's name was permanently changed to Orlando in 1857, in memory of Orlando Reeves, a U.S. soldier who was killed in 1835 by an Indian's arrow while on sentinel duty at what is now Lake Eola Park in downtown Orlando.

Orlando has come a long, long, way since those distant days when the area was an expanse of virgin forest and tangled undergrowth. Back then, the only sounds to be heard were birdsong, and the growls and mating calls of the indigenous wildlife, alligators, big cats and bears.

The landscape was splashed with natural color provided by wild orchids, lilies, and a host of golden flora.

These days, Orlando echoes to different sounds. Fast jet planes roar down runways, bringing in visitors from all over the U.S. and from around the world, who seek the thrills and spills of the theme parks, as well as the nation's leading business and professional men and women who thrill to the wheels and deals of the boardroom and convention halls.

Recognized as one of the world's prime meeting and convention sites, a recent study indicated that 94% of professional meeting planners would re-book meetings in Orlando within a short period of time. Meeting and convention delegates are attracted to Orlando because of its state-of-the-art convention facilities and family vacation opportunities. There's no better spouse or children's programs than the Orlando attractions!

Nowhere in the world is there such a collection of theme parks: Walt Disney World®, Epcot, The Disney Institute, Universal Orlando, SeaWorld®, American Gladiators, Wet 'n Wild®, provide 12 million visitors a year from all over the United States and from around the world, the ideal, total vacation destination.

Not just a destination for families and children, Orlando offers adults a unique menu of vacation options.

In 2000, NBC's Today Show named Orlando among the most popular honeymoon destinations in the world.

There are 123 golf courses within a 45-minute drive of downtown Orlando, many of them an integral part of resort hotels, others just minutes away.

The arts and cultural life of Orlando is thriving. Well worth a visit are the Civic Theatre, Orlando Opera Company, Southern Ballet, the Shakespeare Festival, Museum of Arts, and the new Orlando Science Center.

A must on any visitor's list is a guided tour of Eatonville, the nation's oldest incorporated African-American municipality.

Recreational shopping has reached a new high in Orlando. With more than 32 million square feet of retail space, Orlando has more shopping space than any U.S. city of comparable size. Some of the most popular shopping venues for out-of-town visitors are Pointe* Orlando®, Premium Outlets Mall, Florida Mall, Belz Factory Outlet Mall and International Designer Outlet on International Drive. Totalling 610,000 square feet and more than 160 name-brand factory discount stores, this is the epitome of the "shop 'til you drop" genre.